III - Community Services

Ventura County•Ventura, CA

About The Position

The County of Ventura’s Environmental Health Division is hiring Environmental Health Specialists at levels I, II, and III for Community Services. Under supervision appropriate to the level, the specialist performs professional environmental health work involving inspections, investigations, data collection and analysis, enforcement, report preparation, public contact, and assistance with program administration. The work addresses community services programs such as food facilities, public pools, and community events. The role’s complexity, independence, and level of public and agency interaction increase with each level. The position includes field and office work across Ventura County. Depending on assignment, evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required. Specialists must obtain and maintain a valid California driver license. Employees appointed at level I must provide proof of Environmental Health Specialist registration before completing probation. Approximate salary ranges are $29.02–$40.61 per hour for level I, $2,760.32–$3,854.44 biweekly for level II, and $3,063.54–$4,297.90 biweekly for level III. The role is represented by SEIU; level I is eligible for overtime compensation, while levels II and III are not.

Requirements

Environmental Health Specialist I: Some environmental health experience and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health Science or a related Environmental Science field, plus either an eligibility letter from the California Department of Public Health (Options IV or V) to take the Registered Environmental Health Specialist state examination, or a bachelor’s degree from a California Department of Public Health-approved environmental health program with the ability to obtain the required eligibility letter before appointment.
Environmental Health Specialist II: A bachelor’s degree in environmental health science or a related field, at least one year of progressively responsible environmental health experience, and California Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) registration. A master’s degree in environmental health science or a related field may substitute.
Environmental Health Specialist III: A bachelor’s degree in environmental health science or a related field, at least three years of progressively responsible environmental health experience, and California Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) registration. A master’s degree in environmental health science or a related field may substitute.
Obtain by appointment and maintain a valid California driver license.
For level I Community Services appointments, provide proof of REHS registration before completing the probationary period.
Depending on assignment, be willing to work evenings, weekends, and holidays throughout Ventura County.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting inspections of retail food facilities, public swimming pools, or temporary food facilities, including enforcement of state laws in those facilities.

Responsibilities

Inspect facilities and properties, including food facilities, public pools, and community events, for compliance with applicable state laws and County ordinances.
Prepare written reports concerning food and pool facilities and recommend completion of environmental health projects.
Research, compile, synthesize, analyze, and interpret information and data to meet environmental health objectives.
Coordinate environmental health projects, define problems and alternative solutions, and establish objectives.
Respond to public questions about projects, environmental health programs, ordinances, policies, and procedures related to community services.
Present to public groups and governmental bodies, including providing food safety training and explaining environmental health reports and recommendations.
Coordinate or negotiate with individuals, developers, groups, divisions, departments, and agencies on technical or legal aspects of environmental programs.
Conduct field and complaint investigations to obtain first-hand knowledge of sites under study.
Participate in enforcement activities, which may include citations, report writing, evidence collection, and court appearances.
Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

General salary increases of 3.5% effective December 20, 2026, and December 19, 2027.
Educational incentive of 2.5% for an associate’s degree, 3.5% for a bachelor’s degree, or 5% for a graduate degree.
Bilingual hourly incentive, subject to examination: $0.69 at Level I, $1.00 at Level II, or $1.32 at Level III.
Full-time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per pay period and receive an advance of 40.04 hours at hire, balanced after 13 biweekly pay periods.
After approximately seven years of continuous County service, eligible employees may elect cash in lieu of up to 80 hours of vacation accrual.
Eligible employees may participate in the County’s 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or Section 457 Plan; the position is eligible for up to a 3% match on 401(k) contributions.
Full-time regular employees receive an annual flexible credit allowance of up to $26,626.96 to help offset medical insurance costs for themselves and eligible dependents.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible dependent-care and health-care expenses using pre-tax dollars.
County retirement plan, with contributions from both the County and employees, and participation in Social Security; reciprocity with other public retirement systems may be available if eligible.
13 paid holidays per year, including a scheduled floating holiday.